Wireless Networking at Home (Advice needed)

[Valek]

Okay, here's the deal. I just recently got a Dell Inspiron 710, and because it's wi-fi capable I'd like to set up a wireless network at home so both my desktop and laptop can access my sympatico internet. Currently, my desktop is connected via the broadband modem, so I just want to make sure I'm doing the right thing.

Am I doing the right thing by buying a wireless broadband router and a wireless nic for the desktop and that's it? Windows XP and the instructions with the router should give me enough information to make the network work, right?
If anyone knows any good places I can get both the router + nic wireless card, it'd also be of great help. I'm looking to pick this up tomorrow.

[Sewert]

You shouldn't need the wireless nic for the desktop.

Simply run your connection into the modem, then the wireless, then into the desktop. THen run your wireless wizards to finish.

[Valek]

So I would just need the wireless router + an extra ethernet cable then?

[Flyer]

Just get a wireless router. You can plug the desktop cable into the router, then use the wireless card on the lappy.

[Valek]

Just get a wireless router. You can plug the desktop cable into the router, then use the wireless card on the lappy.
Then wouldn't my desktop not get internet then?

[Oversized Rooster]

Then wouldn't my desktop not get internet then?

No, every machine will get the internet. Your router serves as a DHCP server, and it will create an internal home network for you. It will receive the single IP address from your provider, and to them it will look like it's only one PC connected (your router). To everything connected, whether through wired or air, the router will hand out internal IP addresses, and everyone's gonna have internet.

Most routers have 4 wired ports, and support for many wireless clients at the same time. I think the limit is 50 or 100. That's not important anyway.

With that one router you could connect a sh1tload of comps.

Think of the router as a device that takes an IP address from your provider and "splits it".

[emoci]

So preety much goes like this:

Need to buy: wireless router, extra ethernet cable

-Router plugs into modem

-Desktop plugs into one of the slots of the router (this means that your desktop has an ethernet port, if you are using the modem through usb and don't have the ethernet port you'll need to look for a router with a usb port, or buy a wireless nic card as you said, or simply buy a nic card with an ethernet port.)

-Laptop picks up wireless signal from router (it's already wifi, it's built in to it right, so nothing else needed---careful it may also say wifi capable in which case you may need a wireless pcmcia card for the laptop, or a usb wireless adaptor--You gotta figure out if your laptop has built in wifi card, or you need to buy a wifi card for it)

At this point you have internet on both laptop and desktop

-You can then run the network wizard so you can even set up a network between the two computers to access each others files

It should take you no more than 30 minutes to put it all together.

What you should be asking is what router to buy (I myself have a D-Link, it's okay but not completely happy with it, it drops the wireless connection once in a while, rarely but still)
The other thing about routers is the firmware they are running, online games become tricky when you gotta open ports in the router.

[Oversized Rooster]

While D-Link routers are often more affordable, there are many more people who have had issues with them. I personally use a D-Link router at the cottage, which has served me well always.

But at home, I use Linksys components. And right now in my home in Bulgaria, I also use a Linksys router (the WRT54G).

[Valek]

Okay, so let me get this straight.

The ethernet cable from the Modem that goes into my computer now goes into the wireless router. I'm assuming there's another slot in the wireless router that can just go back into my regular nic on my desktop.
Therefore: DSL Modem >> Wireless Router >> Back to Desktop. Basically an extension of the ethernet cable right now.

With that set up, my wi-fi should be able to pick it up if I follow the network wizard correctly and therefore both desktop and laptop have internet + access files from each other?

What to buy: A Wireless router and an extra ethernet cable
Correct?
(Thanks a lot for all the help, I have a fair grasp of things, I just want to make total sure before I buy anything.)

[Oversized Rooster]

That's correct. You need one router and one Cat5 cable. Make sure you buy a "straight-thru" cable and not a "crossover" cable. Crossover cables are only used for PC to PC direct connections. Straight-Thru cables are used to PC to switch/hub/router/modem.

If I remember correctly, you'll need to set your router to PPPoE and I hope you have all your Sympatico settings nearby. You'll need your username and password, that's all I think.

And once you get the internet going, you should turn on encryption for your wireless network. Otherwise, any random person who passes within like 50-100 meters of your router, will see your network, and can start using your internet and browsing your computers. You don't want that!

[Flyer]

This is what you had. (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc000692oh.jpg) Modem directly connected to the computer. In this example, laptop.

This is what you want. (http://img66.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc000705hq.jpg) The white wire connects the modem to the router. The blue wire connects the router to your computer.

[Valek]

Okay, thanks so much for even taking pictures lol. You guys have been very helpful.

[Gee]

If you want a Linksys Router, I have a new one for sale.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=290827

It includes the extra ethernet cable you will need. I will help you with the setup too if you are in Mississauga.

[Valek]

Argh. So I bought a DLink DI524 Wireless Broadband router. I expected it to be fairly easy, you know: Plug modem into Router instead of computer, then use the extra cat 5 cable that came with the router to plug the router into the computer. Then all I would have to do is configure the router and I should be set to go, right? Argh. My desktop is not detecting/connecting PPoE (Sympatico) through the router, but is fine when just directly connected to the modem. The nic light on my desktop shows orange instead of green when its connected to the router, what might that mean? I'm forced to use my laptop to log on now until I can figure this all out, argh.

[Oversized Rooster]

Obviously not! You gotta remove all that crap Sympatico from your PC. Your router will just login. Your computers just have to plugged in. No software, no login. I told you earlier about setting up the PPPoE thing on the router, remember?

[Valek]

Obviously not! You gotta remove all that crap Sympatico from your PC. Your router will just login. Your computers just have to plugged in. No software, no login. I told you earlier about setting up the PPPoE thing on the router, remember?
Well, there was no Sympatico software installed, just Windows XP's own login stuff with the network, all XP needs is login + pass for sympatico instead of me installing Sympatico software. I just deleted all the Sympatico connections that XP has made and the only thing that's available now is the default Local Area Network in my Network Connections.

[tmpz]

Did you configure your router to PPPoE?

Usually you go to your browser and type 192.168.1.1 (for my Linksys router). Check your manual to see what the address is.

Search for a PPPoE option, enter your DSL username and password and then apply settings. It should be up. Try a website now.

[Valek]

Did you configure your router to PPPoE?

Usually you go to your browser and type 192.168.1.1 (for my Linksys router). Check your manual to see what the address is.

Search for a PPPoE option, enter your DSL username and password and then apply settings. It should be up. Try a website now.

I called the guys at D-Link, they walked me through this entire process and now both computers have net access. Thanks a lot for the help guys.

[squall458]

I got sympatico recently (a few months ago) and the modem that gave me is also a wireless router fyi.

[civ@uw]

I want to set up a wireless network, however I want to know how my connection will be if I have the router in the basement and my laptop on the top floor (this is a 3-floor house). Also, would I be able to set something like this up:

-Router and modem in basement (not directly connected to any computer by wires)
-Desktop on middle floor
-Laptop on top floor

The reason I want to do this, is to get rid of the clutter I have with phone lines and what not littered around the desktop.

[Flyer]

Good luck getting a signal on the top floor if the router is in the basement. I have a friend who has the router on the second floorof his house, and the signal in the basement is almost non-existant.

[Oversized Rooster]

Good luck getting a signal on the top floor if the router is in the basement. I have a friend who has the router on the second floorof his house, and the signal in the basement is almost non-existant.

It all depends on interference and what the obstaces like in the house.

He could always use a wireless repeater. I use one at home. My home is a 4-floor townhouse. It's 100% concrete, and my setup is:

1st Floor: Linksys Wireless Repeater (to server the 1st floor comp and patio)
2nd Floor: Nothing
3rd Floor: Cable modem to wired router. Wired router to wired Gigabit switch and Linksys Access Point. Wired Gigabit switch serves my PC and the PC on the 4th floor through cables. Access Point serves 2 laptops within 2nd floor to 4th floor. Futher down, the repeater repeater (pun intended) takes over.

[enko]

Some of my friends have no problems spanning 2 floors with Wifi, it depends on your house. Best way is to try it.

Whatever you do make sure you use WPA2 for encryption.